Common Sense Media Review
A beautiful tale of remembrance, Mexican culture.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ABUELITA'S GIFT: A DíA DE MUERTOS STORY is the story of a little girl named Julieta who misses her Abuelita and how she finds a way to honor her and feel closer to her after she has passed away. Julieta is excited for Abuelita's spirit to visit on Día de Muertos. She is determined to find the perfect gift to honor Abuelita and to show how much she misses her. However, her ideas fail one by one and Julieta grows worried. It is only when Julieta embraces the memories she once shared with her Abuelita, that she realizes the perfect gift comes from the heart.
Is It Any Good?
This heartwarming picture book beautifully captures the essence of Dia de Muertos. Filled with "claveritas," "rhythm of jaranas," and rich earth tones, Abuelita's Gift: A Dia de Muertos Story, showcases the vibrant colors, rich traditions, and profound meaning of the holiday. Julieta misses her Abuelita but through shared memories and family traditions she learns to cherish Abuelita's memory and the love they shared. The story is both touching and joyful, emphasizing the enduring power of love and the importance of family connections.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different traditions and symbols of Dia de Muertos that appear in Abuelita's Gift: A Dia de Muertos Story. Do you celebrate Dia de Muertos in your family? What do you know about this Mexican tradition?
Talk about how families honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Have you ever lost a loved one? In what special ways do you remember and celebrate this person? Do you have a favorite memory of them?
Julietta is a strong and joyful character. How does Julietta demonstrate courage and gratitude? Why are these important character strengths?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Sara Palacios
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Holidays
- Character Strengths : Courage , Gratitude
- Book type : Fiction
- Publication date : September 10, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate
